FOR any rugby neutral, England-Ireland would have been the game of the tournament. Take away the rivalries/stakes/bragging rights and stripping the game to its core; the 80 minutes was about as dynamic, entertaining and as chaotic as you can get on the rugby field.
England put in a performance not seen in years against Ireland who were everyone's comfortable favourites to bag the win at Twickenham and the Grand Slam. Rushed attack met frantic defence, outstanding tries and accurate kicking put this game down in the history books.
During the World Cup many people had already written off England and I recall writing that they were the only northern hemisphere team to make it to the semis and don't turn your back on them. During this Six Nations the team once again received the same criticism and yet managed to upset an Irish team that are currently of a higher quality all round and winning more Tests than they have been losing in the last few years.
I can't imagine Ireland being too concerned about the upset but being the professional team they are they will digest and store it for reference, least a belief of invincibility settles in.
When their backs are against the wall and there is little to play for, it's like rocket fuel for the Red Rose. Maybe this victory will make people think twice before writing off the World Cup bronze medallists. England at their best beat Ireland at their worst by a point.
